Crate.



Patented Mar. 4,1902.

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UNITED STATES 'PATENT Ormes.

ADOLPH VON SCHLUEMBACH, OF MARTINSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

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erneuteirren` forming part of Letters raten: No. 694,794, einen March 4,1902.

' be folded when empty, so as to occupya very much reduced space, thusfacilitating the transportation of the empty crate.

This specification is a'specific description of one form of theinvention, while theclaims are denitionsof the actual scope thereof.

Reference is to be `had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part ofthis specification, in which similar characters of reference indicatecorresponding parts in all the views. f Figure l is a sectional view.ofv the invention on the line l l of Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is anvendelevationrthereof. Fig. 3 is a section on theline 3 3 of Fig. l, andFig. et is an lend elevation showing the crate closed.

The bottom of the crate is preferably constructed of an im perforaterectangular section of material, as indicated at d, and the top of thecrate comprises an outer or marginal frame b, the parts of which arerigidly joined together, such frame having siats h and strengtheningcross-pieces h2, as indicated. The top is provided with an opening forthe introduction and removal of `the fowls, and said opening iscommanded by a suitable closure h3, hingedly mounted in place, as shownbest in Fig. 3. The sidewalls of the crate are made up of toprails c andbottomrails d, with slats e extending between them. The ends of the toprails c are mounted to rockin bearings ZTL, attached to the inner wallsofthe side portions of the marginal frame b of the4 top ofthe crate, andthe ends of the bottomV rails d are ttedto slide in transverse slotsat', formed in flanges or beads a?, fastened to the end edges of thebottom a of the crate.l Now it will be seen that when the crate isextended, as shown in Figs. l, 2, and 3, the rails d lie with their endsin the outer extremities of the slots d. To fold the crate, the endwalls are pushed inward at their-lower portions, so

. crate.

f proximity to the bottom,

Application tiled March 15,1901; Serial No. 51,291. (No model.)

that the bottom rails clslide along the slots a i and occnpythepositions shown in Fig. 4. This enables the top of the crate to comedown to a position directly above the bottom'.

The'end walls of the crate are ymade up of top rails g and bottom railsh, joined together by slats z'. The top rails g are rockably mount- Aedin the end portions ofthe side members of This arrangement is best shownin Fig. 3.

When, therefore, the crate is opened, the parte lie as shown best inFig.3, and the lockplates h bear between the bottom rails d of the saidwalls to prevent the collapse of the Any suitable devices-such, forexample, as hooks k-may be employed for removably holding the end wallsin operative position. When it is desired to knock/"down vor fold thecrate, the hooks k or other fastening devices used for the end wallsshould 'be released and the -end walls moved inward to horizontalposition, 'fas explained above. Then the bottom rails d of the sidewalls may be moved inward along the slots o. and the top of the cratewill fall down into close (See Fig. et.) Any desired device (not shown)may be employed tov hold the top andbottom sections of the cratetogether when the crate is folded.

If desired, a water-trough h2, of canvas or other waterproof fabric maybe employed, as

shown in- Figs. 2 and 3. This trough is pro- Having thus described myinvention, I`

claim as new and desire to secure by Letters ICO pending therefrom, theend sections being free to fold against the top, and the side sectionsbeing free to fold against the end sections as thus folded so that theside and end sections are free to open simultaneously, the depending endsections serving as levers of variable power for unfolding the sidesections.

2. A folding crate comprising a central [latinember, a plurality of flatrigid sections flexibly connected therewith and free to fold upon thesamel directly, and a plurality of flat rigid sections flexiblyconnected with said flat member at right angles to the tirst-mentionedsections, and free to fold upon them so that the first-mentionedsections in swinging open serve as levers of variable power for openingthe other sections.

3. A folding crate having top, bottom and side sections, eachrespectively rigid, the bottom section having guideways in its ends, theside sections having swinging connections with the top section andhaving parts slidably engaging said guideways whereby said top, side andbottom sections may be folded, in combination with end sections pivotedto the top section and folding inwardly against and parallel with thesame and unfolding outwardly against and between the swinging edges ofthe side sections so as to exert lncreasing leverage upon the same asthe said ends are unfolded,

4. A folding crate, comprising a bottom, a top provided with side andendsections depending therefrom, the end sections being free. to foldagainst the top and the side sections being free to fold against the endsections, and a fastening for securing said end sections, when unfolded,to said top section.

5. A folding crate, comprising a top, a bottom provided With slots, endmembers pivoted to said top and freeto fold flatly against the same,side members pivoted to said top and free to fold flatly. against saidend members, said side members being provided with pins for slidablyengaging said slots in said bottom, the arrangement being such that saidcrate is free to open when the said end members are pulled asunder.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing Witnesses.

ADOLPH VON SCHLUEMBACH.

Witnesses:

H. H. LYKENs, THEO. D. SMUBERGER.

